Coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing the compressibility of a golf ball. This testing apparatus has a base, a plate with a bore opening which supports a housing containing therein a resilient actuating pin which permits this actuating pin to move vertically through this bore opening in the base plate. A solenoid is mounted to the top of the base plate and in direct contact with the actuating pin. To this solenoid is mounted a locking pin which extends through a bore hole in a second plate. This locking pin is in direct contact with a cammed drum. Mounted to the cammed drum are extending brackets which support the cammed drum. The cammed drum supports means for testing the physical compressibility of a golf ball.

United States Patent Phillips.

[451 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] COIN-ACTUATED GOLF BALL TESTING APPARATUS [72]Inventor: Larry B. Phillips, Bay City, Mich.

[731 Assignee: New Golf, lnc., Essexville, Mich.

[221 Filed: Mar. 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 21,713

194/33, 46, ll, l2, l4, l5, [6, BIG. 23; 70/283 Primary ExamineH-SamuelF. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Robert J.Rhead [5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a coin-actuated golfball testing apparatus for testing the compressibility of a golf ball.This testing apparatus has a base, a plate with a bore opening whichsupports a housing containing therein a resilient actuating pin whichpermits this actuating pin to move vertically through this bore openingin the base plate. A solenoid is mounted to the top of the base plateand in direct contact with the actuating pin. To this solenoid ismounted a locking pin which extends through a bore hole in a secondplate. This locking pin is in direct contact with a cammed drum. Mountedto the cammed drum are extending brackets which support the cammed drum.The cammed drum supports means for testing the physical compressibilityof a golf ball.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Patented April 4, 1972 INVENTOR. Larry B.PAM/ '03 BY HTTORNEY COIN-ACTUATED GOLF BALL TESTING APPARATUS Thisinvention relates to an apparatus for testingthe compressibility of amaterial. More particularly, the invention relates to a coin-actuatedelectronic golf ball testing apparatus for testing the compressibilityof a golf ball. This testing apparatus is especially suited for testingthe compressibility of a golf ball either on the fairway or in the golfclubhouse prior to play or during play.

It has long been recognized that the value of any sporting material, andin particular, a sporting ball, depends upon its physicalcharacteristics, such as strength, durability, compressibility, etc.This is especially so in the manufactured golf ball. It has long beenrecognized that the value of any sporting ball, and in particular a golfball, is in its compressibility. The greater the compressibility, thegreater the distance achieved upon impact. It has long been recognizedin the art to mechanically test the hardness and quality of balls andmaterials for games and components thereofU.S. Pat. No. 1,819,232 andU.S. Pat. No. 2,278,416. Pursuant to the modern economic approach to thefurnishing of services for a pecuniary interest such as the testingofthe compressibility of a game or sporting ball, it has not heretoforebeen known in the art to combine a game or sporting ball testingapparatus with a coin-actuated vending apparatus. Further, the prior arthas failure to realize the need for a locking device used in conjunctionwith a sporting or golf ball testing apparatus. There is an unfulfilledneed to restrict the random use by the sporting public of the testingapparatus without the pecuniary payment for the use of this service.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved golf or sporting ball testing apparatus. It is afurther object of this invention to produce a coin-actuated golf balltesting apparatus for testing the compressibility of a golf ball. It isstill a further object of this invention to produce a coin-actuated golfball testing apparatus for testing the compressibility of a golf ballbut further containing a locking apparatus. Other objects will beapparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the followingspecification.

In accordance with certain of its aspects, this invention compresses acoin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility of a golf ball, the combination which comprises: a baseplate having a plurality of supports and a bore opening therein; ahousing containing therein a vertically mounted resilient actuating pin,the housing being affixed thereunder to the base plate in such a way soas to permit the actuating pin to vertically move through bored openingin the base plate; a solenoid mounted to the top of the base plate andin direct juxtaposition to the actuating pin; a vertical locking pinmounted to the solenoid; a second plate mounted to the base plate havinga bore hole positioned over the locking pin whereby vertical movement ofthe locking pin is permitted through bore hole; a modified cammed drumcontaining a cavity meshing to the locking pin; an upward extendingbracket super-posed over the modified cammed drum; means for connectingthe bracket portion to the modified cammed drum; means for testing thephysical compressibility of a golf ball connected to the bracketportion; a relay electrically connected in series to the solenoid; acoin-actuated microswitch electrically connected in series to the relayand the solenoid; a

reset switch electrically connected in series to the coin-actuatedmicroswitch, the relay and the solenoid, and eccentric to the cammeddrum; and, an electrical source.

The structural details, principles, advantages and utility of amechanism constructed in accordance with the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the best model nowcontemplated for carrying out the invention, the description being madewith reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing a front view of a typicalcompression testing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing in same detail the locking device and theelectrical system used in combination with the compression testingapparatus.

In the embodiments illustrated, a base plate 1, having a plurality ofsupports 2 and a bore opening 3, is positional over a housing 4containing therein a vertically mounted resilient actuating pin 5. Thishousing 4 is positioned and affixed thereunder to the base plate I so asto permit the actuating pin 5 to vertically move through the boreopening 3. A solenoid 6 is mounted to the top of base plate 1 and indirect juxtaposition to the actuating pin 5. The actuating pin 5 is avertically mounted resilient pin and is preferably a spring resilientactuating pin. This solenoid 6 has a core 18. This core 18 can be madeof any material suitable, but preferably of metal. To the solenoid 6 ismounted a locking pin 7. A second plate 8 is mounted to the base plate 1and has therein a second bore hole 9 positioned over the locking pin 7whereby vertical movement of the locking pin 7 is permitted through thesecond bore hole 9. Surrounding the second bore hole 9 is a bushing 20which is mounted to the second plate 8, which is intended to act as aguard against the fracturing of the locking pin 7. This bushing 20 ispreferably a metal. Mounted to the second plate 8 is an upward extendingbracket 10 which superposes a cammed drum 11. In the modified cammeddrum 11 is a cavity 19 which meshes with the locking pin 7. The lobe 12of the cammed drum 11 is meshing with the reset switch 15.

A relay switch 13 is electrically connected in series to the solenoid 6by any means electrically correct. This relay switch 13 is preferably asingle pull, double throw relay, more commonly referred to as a holdingrelay or holding circuit. A coinactuated microswitch 14 is electricallyconnected in series to the relay switch 13 and the solenoid 6. Thisconnection is again accomplished by any electrically correct means. Areset switch 15 is electrically connected in series to the coin-actuatedmicroswitch 14, the relay switch 13, the solenoid 6, and eccentric tothe cammed drum 1 l. The electrical components of this disclosure areactivated by a 1 10-6 volt stepdown transformer 16, which in turn isactivated by an electrical source 17.

As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a base 8 from which an upwardextending bracket 10 terminates at the vertically extending cylindricalchambered portion 21. The upward extending bracket 10 is provided withjournal bosses 22 and 23 in alignment with one another to receive shaft24, which is keyed to the cammed drum 11 having a pin 25 eccentricallyconnecting the link 26 thereto to oscillate in the slot, which link 26is pivotally connected to the pin 25 extending through the plunger 27slidably mounted in the chambered portion 21. At the upper end of thechamber portion 21 and desirably extending from opposite sides, thereare provided the two extensions 28 and 29. These two extensions 28 and29 are connected by any means to the chamber portion 21 and upperbracket 30. A spring housing 31 is mounted by any means to upper bracket30. Enclosed in spring housing 31 is spring 32 which is connected by anymeans to cylindrical head 33.

Above the spring 32 and connected to the spring housing 31 is positioneda measuring dial 34. This dial 34 is any type dial used to measurecompression or hardness of any type material. This dial 34 is providedwith a stem 35 that engages a polygraph shaped material 36. Thispolygraph shaped material 36 is connected to the top portion of springhousing 31. The article to be tested 37, as for instance a golf ball, isplaced on the plunger 27.

In the operation of the improved testing machine after the testingarticle 37 is placed on the plunger 27, the handle 38 which is pinned toshaft 24 is swung upward until it engages the stop arm 39, which is sopositioned that in this position of the arm 39 the link 26 will besubstantially vertical where the bal137 will have engaged the head 33.

In view of the foregoing, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill inthe art to place a monetary coin into the coin-actuated microswitch 14which energizes relay switch 13 and the solenoid 6. This energizationproduces a holding circuit until the reset switch 15 is depressed orde-activated by reset shaft 40. While this energization producesactivation in solenoid 6,

which in turn draws the locking pin 7 downward or in an unlockedposition. This permits the handle 38 to move in a forward position whichmotivates plunger 27 to an upward compressing position. Preceding thismotivation, object 37 was placed in the void between plunger 27 and thecylindrical head 33. This object 37 is preferably a golf ball or othersporting ball.

The upward motivation of plunger 27 compresses object 37 against thecylindrical head 33. This compression is transmitted to spring 32,whereby this force is measured on dial 34. Upon the forward movement ofhandle 38, the modified cammed drum 11 and, in particular, the lobe 12on the modified cammed drum 11, engages the reset shaft 40 which, inturn, de-activates or breaks the circuit in reset switch 15, thusallowing the locking pin 7 to be disengaged from the solenoid 6 andfurther allowing the locking pin 7 to return to cavity 19 thus lockingthe apparatus.

The locking pin 7, when there is no holding-activated circult, is alwaysin a locking position insured by the vertically mounted resilientactivating pin 5.

lt is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to thedetails of construction without departing from the general spirit of theinvention, as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility of a golf ball, the combination which comprises: a baseplate having a plurality of supports and a bore opening therein; ahousing containing therein a vertically mounted resilient actuating pin,the housing being affixed thereunder to the base plate in such a way soas to permit the actuating pin to vertically move through bored openingin the base plate; a solenoid mounted to the top of the base plate andin direct juxtaposition to the actuating pin; a vertical locking pinmounted to the solenoid; a second plate mounted to the base plate havinga bore hole positioned over the locking pin whereby vertical movement ofthe locking pin is permitted through bore hole; a modified cammed drumcontaining a cavity meshing to the locking pin; an upward extendingbracket superposed over the modified cammed drum; means for connectingthe bracket to the modified cammed drum; means for testing the physicalcompressibility of a golf ball connected to the bracket; a relay switchelectrically connected in series to the solenoid; a coin-actuatedmicroswitch electrically connected in series to the relay switch and thesolenoid; and a reset switch electrically connected in series to thecoin-actuated microswitch, the relay and the solenoid, and eccentric tothe modified cammed drum.

2. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility of a golf ball as claimed in claim 1 wherein a bushingis mounted to the second plate eccentric to the bore hole.

3. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility of a golf ball as claimed in claim 1 wherein thevertical locking pin is metal.

4. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility of a golf ball as claimed in claim 1 wherein thevertically mounted resilient actuating pin is spring resilient.

5. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility ofa golf ball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solenoidhas a metal core.

1. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility of a golf ball, the combination which comprises: a baseplate having a plurality of supports and a bore opening therein; ahousing containing therein a vertically mounted resilient actuating pin,the housing being affixed thereunder to the base plate in such a way soas to permit the actuating pin to vertically move through bored openingin the base plate; a solenoid mounted to the top of the base plate andin direct juxtaposition to the actuating pin; a vertical locking pinmounted to the solenoid; a second plate mounted to the base plate havinga bore hole positioned over the locking pin whereby vertical movement ofthe locking pin is permitted through bore hole; a modified cammed drumcontaining a cavity meshing to the lOcking pin; an upward extendingbracket superposed over the modified cammed drum; means for connectingthe bracket to the modified cammed drum; means for testing the physicalcompressibility of a golf ball connected to the bracket; a relay switchelectrically connected in series to the solenoid; a coinactuatedmicroswitch electrically connected in series to the relay switch and thesolenoid; and a reset switch electrically connected in series to thecoin-actuated microswitch, the relay and the solenoid, and eccentric tothe modified cammed drum.
 2. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatusfor testing the compressibility of a golf ball as claimed in claim 1wherein a bushing is mounted to the second plate eccentric to the borehole.
 3. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testing thecompressibility of a golf ball as claimed in claim 1 wherein thevertical locking pin is metal.
 4. A coin-actuated golf ball testingapparatus for testing the compressibility of a golf ball as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the vertically mounted resilient actuating pin is springresilient.
 5. A coin-actuated golf ball testing apparatus for testingthe compressibility of a golf ball as claimed in claim 1 wherein thesolenoid has a metal core.